The Matchday 1 clash in the 2025/26 Europa League group stage between Aston Villa (England) and Bologna (Italy) will take place on September 25 at Villa Park in Birmingham. Aston Villa vs. Bologna: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Aston Villa
Last season, the Birmingham side finished sixth in the Premier League, earning a spot in the Europa League group stage. This will be Aston Villa's first appearance in the main draw of this tournament, and in the 2024/25 season, the team reached the Champions League quarter-finals, where they were defeated by PSG on aggregate (1-3, 3-2). Notably, the club has won 4 of their last 5 European matches, scoring at least three goals in each victory.
- The team has won 11 of their last 13 home matches in European club competitions.
- The club's players have scored at least twice in 9 of their previous 11 home encounters in Europe.
- At least three goals have been scored in 8 of the last 11 home games of the English side in European competitions.
Predicted lineup for Aston Villa (4-5-1)
Emiliano Martinez – Tyrone Mings, Matty Cash, Lucas Digne, Ezri Konsa – Evan Ferguson, Emiliano Buendia, John McGinn, Boubacar Kamara, Morgan Rogers – Ollie Watkins.
Defender Andres Garcia, as well as midfielders Youri Tielemans, Amadou Onana, and Ross Barkley, will miss the match due to injuries.
Bologna
The team secured a spot in the Europa League group stage after winning the Coppa Italia last season. For Bologna, this will be their debut in the main draw of this European competition, and in the 2024/25 season, the team participated in the Champions League, where their journey ended at the group stage. It's worth noting that the Italians have managed only one win in their last eight European matches (3 draws, 4 losses). Additionally, the club's players failed to score in five matches during this period.
- No more than two goals have been scored in 6 of the team's last 8 European matches.
- The club's players have scored no more than once in 7 of their previous 8 matches on the European stage.
- The Italians have not lost by more than one goal in their last five matches in European club competitions.
Predicted lineup for Bologna (4-5-1)
Lukasz Skorupski – Lorenzo De Silvestri, Thorbjorn Heggem, Martin Vitik, Juan Miranda – Riccardo Orsolini, Remo Freuler, Nikola Moro, Federico Bernardeschi, Benja Dominguez – Santiago Castro.
Defender Nicolo Casale, midfielders Ibrahim Sulemana and Tommaso Pobega, as well as forward Ciro Immobile, will not play due to injuries.
Referee
Jesus Gil Manzano (Spain)
Matches – 10 (International matches, 2024/25–2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 40;
Average yellow cards per match – 4;
Red cards shown – 2;
Average fouls per match – 22;
Penalties – 30%.
Aston Villa vs. Bologna: Match Prediction
The English side has been successful at home in European competitions and, in my opinion, can maintain their impressive home record. Over their last 13 home matches in European club tournaments, the team has secured 11 victories, defeating even such opponents as PSG and Bayern Munich. Additionally, in their last three home matches on the European stage, the club's players have scored ten goals.
Bologna, on the other hand, cannot boast of their results in official international matches, having secured only one win in their last eight European encounters, and that was in a home match. The team also struggles on the road in Serie A, suffering four consecutive defeats. It's also worth noting that in last season's Champions League, the Italians faced Aston Villa at their home ground and lost 0-2.
I expect the English side to claim three points in this match, and my prediction: Aston Villa to win
